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It took me 50 days to get my first 10 customers. Then just 9 more days to hit 20. The hardest part is the beginning.

r/SideProject
8/14/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the author's journey of building a SaaS product, taking 50 days to acquire the first 10 customers and just 9 more days to reach 20. The author emphasizes the difficulty of the initial phase, the importance of persistence, and the role of customer feedback and relationships in driving growth. Several SaaS tools are mentioned in the comments, including Tydal, AutomationIdeas.ai, Suma AI, and ClientPortal OS, each serving different purposes such as productivity, customer acquisition, content generation, and project management.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion is that the initial phase of building a SaaS product is extremely challenging, especially when there is no social proof or existing audience. Many commenters relate to the struggle of getting the first customers and find the author's story encouraging. Some mention the importance of consistency, daily action, and learning from failures. There is also a discussion about the value of customer feedback and how it can help shape the product. However, some conflicting opinions exist, such as one commenter who misunderstood the product as generating spam posts on Reddit, highlighting the challenges of communication and perception. Overall, the post and comments emphasize perseverance, learning, and the power of early customer relationships.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Tydalhttps://www.tydal.coProductivity/MarketingNot explicitly described, but mentioned as the author's product
AutomationIdeas.aihttps://automationideas.aiCustomer AcquisitionMentioned by a comment as a tool to discover pain points and support customer acquisition
Suma AIhttp://suma-ai.comContent GenerationGenerates LinkedIn posts based on industry news
ClientPortal OSN/AProject ManagementA tool for freelancers and small teams to manage clients, invoices, contracts, files, and communication
Hosa AI CompanionN/ASocial Skills DevelopmentMentioned as a tool used to practice social skills and build confidence

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in acquiring the first paying customers
  • Lack of social proof or following in a crowded market
  • Challenges in standing out from competitors
  • Struggles with marketing and visibility

Problems to Solve:

  • How to effectively reach and convert potential users into paying customers
  • How to build momentum and create a feedback loop with early adopters
  • How to identify and target the right audience for the product
  • How to maintain consistency and motivation during the early stages of growth

Potential Solutions:

  • Consistent daily action and improvement
  • Listening to customer feedback and providing excellent service
  • Using personal experience as a user of the product to drive marketing efforts
  • Focusing on building relationships with early customers to generate word-of-mouth referrals

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Persistence and consistent daily action
  • Building relationships with early customers and focusing on their satisfaction
  • Leveraging personal use of the product to improve marketing efforts
  • Learning from each day and continuously improving the product and strategy

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Daily marketing efforts and outreach
  • Focusing on building a feedback loop with early users
  • Using personal experience and engagement to build trust and credibility

Monetization & Product:

  • The importance of solving real problems for users to drive adoption and retention
  • The need to refine the product based on customer feedback
  • The value of creating a product that aligns with the needs of a specific target audience

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with early customers and using their feedback to improve the product
  • Building a community through shared experiences and support
  • Encouraging early adopters to refer others through good service and results